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MOBILE PUBLIC HEALTH
Commissioners say grant could speed up water testing after floods
Bastrop County residents could see more mobile vaccination clinics following extreme weather and receive water quality data quicker if a grant application approved by commissioners last week is accepted.
The Bastrop County Public Health Department is seeking nearly $22,000 through the Lower Colorado River Authority Community Grants Program and would provide a local match of about $5,500. If awarded, the funds would help expand the county’s mobile public health unit and environmental health response capabilities.
Public Health Director Donna Nichols said the idea to add rapid water-testing gained traction following recent heavy rains.
“One of the items that we always get asked about is what’s the bacterial content in the water,” she said.
The department does not have the capability to answer those questions immediately, according to Nichols, but field results would become available with two new water-testing systems.
She noted the project aligns with the county’s environmental health priorities by giving officials more timely scientific information during emergencies.
“It will give the court data on what is contained in water during floods, fires and infrastructure failure — and any other concerns around water,” Nichols said.
In addition to rapid water testing, the proposed equipment would help conduct pop-up vaccination clinics across the county, including at schools, libraries and community centers.
The grant would also fund accessibility improvements for residents with limited mobility and equipment to respond to medical emergencies.
Commissioners discussed public interest in river conditions following recent flooding, noting that residents frequently ask when waterways are safe to reopen and how water quality changes after storms.
The department expects to maintain the new equipment for at least 10 years, according to county records.
